Harris County has three new civil district courts, and the first judge appointed to one of them has taken the bench. Houston Style Magazine reported Friday that Judge Shawn Thierry was formally invested on September 25 as the inaugural judge of the 515th District Court, a civil court the Texas Legislature created effective September 1 to expand the county’s judicial capacity.
What the New Courts Do
The 515th is one of three new Harris County district courts, alongside the 513th and 514th, that took effect at the start of September. State law directs the 515th to give preference to civil cases, which covers disputes over contracts, property, businesses and personal injury. Harris County district courts hear cases from across the county, Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Huffman, Summerwood and Fall Creek included, so added civil capacity affects how quickly a case filed by a Lake Houston area resident or business reaches a judge.
How the Seat Was Filled
Governor Greg Abbott announced the appointment on August 25, with service beginning September 1, according to the governor’s office. The appointment runs through December 31, 2028, or until a successor is elected and qualified. Thierry is a former state representative for Texas House District 146 and serves as executive director of policy in the Office of General Counsel at Texas Southern University. The governor’s office cited nearly three decades of legal experience, a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
